Following discussions among administrative university staff concerning the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, communication from the Office of Marketing and Communications has revealed plans to replace DellaCamera Stadium with an eSports arena in the Weekly Roundup.

“Technology is the future. Fearing these advances will only set our future back,” a representative of the Dean of Students office commented, “With ChatGPT, AI art, and the advancement of the Metaverse, it’s time for the university to lean into the fact that all aspects of our lives are turning digital… even sports!”

The introduction of the eSports and gaming undergraduate programs in fall 2020 was accompanied by the unveiling of the eSports classroom and tournament venue in the Bergami Center for Science, Technology and Innovation. Now in 2023, the university continues to make strides to add to its blossoming gaming-related facilities. Between the new stadium and the newly introduced live streaming concentration in the communications department, the university has made dedicated action in support of up and coming fields.

The new eSports arena will completely replace DellaCamera Stadium as well as over half of Frank Vieira Field to accommodate its ambitious 8,000 person capacity. This capacity exceeds that of the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Convention Center in Anaheim California and the Copper Box Arena in London.

“Everybody knows that technological advances come rapidly like this all the time with little oversight and are definitely not controversial in nature,” Chancellor and CEO Steven Kaplan commented. “Whenever something new and exciting happens, it’s only natural to meet these new possibilities with a complete and utter overhaul.”

The facilities will include a series of state-of-the-art personal computer (PC) setups with rainbow LED lighting, a dedicated weight room and reclineable gamer chairs with extra padding. The Peterson Performance Center (PPC), also newly built, will reportedly be only accessible to eSports athletes starting April 20, 2023.

“I’m so hyped that eSports is finally getting recognized for what it truly is… a real sport,” the captain of the university’s Fortnite team said, insisting that he be addressed only by his gamertag: xXPhantomWolf69Xx. “ESports require just as much physical activity as any other sport. I make sure my team is in the weight room every day to ensure that we’re improving our wrist strength and dexterity.”

PepsiCo, Inc. has also contributed to the project through its donation of several custom Mountain Dew vending machines to be installed throughout the arena. These one of a kind “gamer juice” machines will feature the faces of each team captain across the side. Charlie the Charger body pillows will also be available for sale in sizes from “mini” to “big boy.”

“We’re entering a new era and it’s so exciting to live through this moment in history,” Whisk86268, champion of the 2021 Cooking Mama League, said. A dubious scene from Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma played in the background as he nodded. “Whenever we do our pre-practice thumb wrestling warm up, I can’t help but be reminded that I’m paving the way for the next generation of gamers.”

The university anticipates the Queen Pokimane Arena to be completed spring 2025.